U.S. patent number 11,362,500 [Application Number 16/962,123] was granted by the patent office on 2022-06-14 for mounting device for an elongate flexible member.
This patent grant is currently assigned to First Subsea Limited. The grantee listed for this patent is FIRST SUBSEA LIMITED. Invention is credited to Stephen James Bennett, Anthony John Little, Craig Richard Thomson.
United States Patent |
11,362,500 |
Little , et al. |
June 14, 2022 |
Mounting device for an elongate flexible member
Abstract
A mounting device (110) for an elongate flexible member
extending through an aperture (102), comprising: an elongate body
(130) having a longitudinal axis; an internal passageway passing
through the elongate body (130) parallel to the longitudinal axis,
for receipt of the elongate flexible member; a plurality of
apertures (132) in the elongate body (130); an engagement member
(136) in each apertures (132) and constrained to move along a
displacement axis inclined to the longitudinal axis of the elongate
body (130); a plurality of actuation members (142), each engaged
with a respective engagement member (136), whereby displacement of
the actuation member (142) in a first direction displaces the
engagement members (136) outwardly to project beyond the periphery
of the elongate body (130) and displacement of the actuations
members (142) in a second, opposite direction displaces the
engagement members (136) inwardly; and biasing means (182) biasing
the actuation members (142) in the first direction.
Inventors: |
Little; Anthony John
(Lancashire, GB), Thomson; Craig Richard (Lancashire,
GB), Bennett; Stephen James (Lancashire,
GB) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FIRST SUBSEA LIMITED |
Lancaster |
N/A |
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
First Subsea Limited
(Lancashire, GB)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006372356 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/962,123 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2019 |
PCT
Filed: |
January 29, 2019 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/GB2019/050235 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 14, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/150088 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
August 08, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200366074 A1 |
Nov 19, 2020 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Jan 30, 2018 [GB] |
|
|
1801497 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
5/00 (20130101); H02G 9/02 (20130101); H02G
1/10 (20130101); F16L 3/26 (20130101); H02G
3/22 (20130101); H02G 3/0481 (20130101); F03D
80/85 (20160501); E02B 17/00 (20130101); E02B
2017/0095 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/00 (20060101); H02G 9/02 (20060101); H02G
3/04 (20060101); H02G 1/10 (20060101); F16L
3/26 (20060101); H02G 3/22 (20060101); F16L
5/00 (20060101); F03D 80/80 (20160101); E02B
17/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
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2543574 |
|
Apr 2017 |
|
GB |
|
2016128739 |
|
Aug 2016 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report filed in PCT/GB2019/050235 dated Mar.
20, 2019; 2 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Marsh; Steven M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vedder Price P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A mounting device for an elongate flexible member extending
through an aperture, comprising: an elongate body having a
longitudinal axis; an internal passageway passing through the
elongate body parallel to the longitudinal axis, for receipt of the
elongate flexible member; a plurality of apertures in the elongate
body; an engagement member in each aperture and constrained to move
along a displacement axis inclined to the longitudinal axis of the
elongate body; a plurality of actuation members, each engaged with
a respective engagement member, whereby displacement of the
actuation member in a first direction displaces the engagement
members outwardly to project beyond the periphery of the elongate
body and displacement of the actuations members in a second,
opposite direction displaces the engagement members inwardly; and
biasing means biasing the actuation members in the first
direction.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of
elongate passages in each of which one of the actuation members is
located.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongate passages
are located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate
body.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal
passageway is cylindrical.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral
face of the elongate body is cylindrical.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of
apertures are spaced around the elongate body at a first
longitudinal position of the elongate body.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, comprising a plurality of
recesses spaced around the elongate body at a second longitudinal
position of the elongate body.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of
apertures correspond circumferentially with respect to the
plurality of recesses.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plurality
of elongate passages in each of which one of the actuation members
is located wherein the elongate passages in which the actuation
members are located extend between each aperture and corresponding
recess.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a moveable tubular
sleeve member on the exterior of the elongate body.
11. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the moveable tubular
sleeve member conceals the plurality of recesses.
12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the movable tubular
sleeve member is secured to the actuation members.
13. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement member
is constrained to move in the radial direction relative to the
longitudinal axis.
14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement member
is a locking dog.
15. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means is
a spring.
16. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising connecting means
for connection to an elongate hollow protective device for passage
of the elongate flexible member.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, comprising connecting means
at both ends of the elongate body, each connection to an elongate
hollow protective device.
18. The device as claimed in claim 16, comprising connecting means
for connection to a centraliser.
19. The device as claimed in claim 14, comprising connecting means
for connection to a cable protection device.
20. The device as claimed in claim 14, comprising connecting means
for connection to a bend stiffener.
Description
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to devices for mounting an elongate
flexible member extending through an aperture, and to a protection
device for an elongate flexible member comprising such a mounting
device.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
In offshore energy applications, it is normally necessary to secure
an elongate flexible member, such as an electrical cable, to an
offshore installation. This is normally achieved by securing one
end of the elongate flexible member into a so-called J-tube or
I-tube mounted on the structure.
However, there are some circumstances where the elongate flexible
member must first pass through an aperture in a wall of the
structure to which it is to be connected. A typical example of this
would be where an electrical cable passes through the wall of a
monopile mounted on the seabed, which forms the body of an offshore
wind turbine. In such circumstances, it is necessary for the cable
to be pulled through an aperture in the wall of the monopile
without causing damage to the monopile or the cable itself.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting
device which allows an elongate flexible member to be pulled
through an aperture, but which can be selectively and securely
retained in position in the aperture.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
In accordance with the present invention, there is a mounting
device for an elongate flexible member extending through an
aperture, comprising:
A mounting device for an elongate flexible member extending through
an aperture, comprising: an elongate body having a longitudinal
axis; an internal passageway passing through the elongate body
parallel to the longitudinal axis, for receipt of the elongate
flexible member; a plurality of apertures in the elongate body; an
engagement member in each aperture and constrained to move along a
displacement axis inclined to the longitudinal axis of the elongate
body; a plurality of actuation members, each engaged with a
respective engagement member, whereby displacement of the actuation
member in a first direction displaces the engagement members
outwardly to project beyond the periphery of the elongate body and
displacement of the actuations members in a second, opposite
direction displaces the engagement members inwardly; and biasing
means biasing the actuation members in the first direction.
When an elongate flexible member, such as a cable, is fitted with
such a device, it can be pulled through the aperture in the wall of
the structure to which it is to be mounted. The body of the device
is designed to be slightly smaller than the aperture through which
the cable passes, but the engagement members are designed to
project from the outer peripheral face of the elongate body so that
they engage the periphery of the aperture as the device is pulled
through.
As the device is pulled through, the engagement members are
displaced against the restoring force of the biasing means acting
on the actuation members, which allows the device to be partially
pulled through the aperture. However, when the force pulling the
device through the aperture is removed, the biasing means biases
the actuation members along the internal apertures, urging the
engagement members outwardly so that they engage with the periphery
of the aperture through which the device extends.
Consequently, the device is able to move forwardly through the
aperture in one direction but is prevented from moving back out of
the aperture in the opposite direction.
Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of elongate passages
in each of which one of the actuation members is located.
In addition, it is preferred that the elongate passages are located
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the internal passageway is
aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
Preferably, the internal passageway is cylindrical.
It is also preferred that the outer peripheral face of the elongate
body is cylindrical.
Preferably, the plurality of apertures are spaced around the
elongate body at a first longitudinal position of the elongate
body.
The device preferably comprises a plurality of recesses spaced
around the elongate body at a second longitudinal position of the
elongate body.
Preferably, the first plurality of apertures correspond
circumferentially with respect to the plurality of recesses.
In addition, it is preferred that the elongate passages in which
the actuation members are located extend between each aperture and
corresponding recess.
Preferably, the device comprises a moveable tubular sleeve member
on the exterior of the elongate body.
Preferably, the moveable tubular sleeve member conceals the second
plurality of apertures.
It is also preferred that the movable tubular sleeve member be
secured to the actuation means.
Preferably, the engagement member is constrained to move in the
radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis.
It is also preferred that the engagement member is a locking
dog.
Preferably, the biasing means is a spring.
Preferably the device comprises connecting means for connection to
an elongate hollow protective device for passage of the elongate
flexible member.
Preferably the device comprises connecting means at both ends of
the elongate body, each connection to an elongate hollow protective
device.
In addition, it is preferred that the device comprises connecting
means for connection to a centraliser.
Preferably the device comprises connecting means for connection to
a cable protection device.
In addition, it is preferred that the device comprises connecting
means for connection to a bend stiffener.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present
invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a portion of a cable protection
assembly comprising centraliser, a cable protection device and a
mounting device in accordance with the present invention, shown
installed in a monopile of an offshore wind turbine;
FIG. 1(b) is a through section view of the cable protection
assembly of FIG. 1(a);
FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c) are a side view, front perspective view and rear
perspective view respectively of a mounting device and cable
protection device which form part of the assembly of FIG. 1(a);
FIG. 3a is a plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 1(a);
FIG. 3b is a vertical cross-section through the mounting device
shown in FIG. 3(a);
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the mounting device of
FIG. 3(a) shown in a condition in which locking dogs are in
extended and retracted positions respectively;
FIGS. 5(a) to (c) are perspective views of an actuation member in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5(d) is a front plan view of the actuation member of FIG.
5(a); and
FIG. 5(e) is a vertical cross-section through the actuation member
of FIG. 5(a).
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate an embodiment of cable protection
assembly 100 for a flexible electrical cable (not shown), secured
in aperture 102 in the wall of a support pillar 104 of an offshore
wind turbine. The cable is intended to be connected to the
generator of a wind turbine and the cable protection assembly 100
encloses the electrical cable and both protects the cable from the
underwater environment and prevents it from being bent to a radius
which would damage the cable.
The portion of the cable protection assembly 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 1(a) to 1(b) comprises a centraliser 106 and a cable
protection device 108, one end of each of which is secured to a
respective end of a mounting device 110. The centraliser 106 and
the cable protection device 108 are conventional and comprise
tubular, flexible members formed from high density polyurethane. In
the embodiment described and shown, the centraliser 106 and the
cable protection device 108 are formed as bend stiffeners which are
tapered towards the ends remote from the mounting device and are
designed to allow a predetermined degree of flexibility but to
prevent bending to such an extent that would result in damage to
the cable passing through them.
It should be noted that further cable protection devices may be
attached downstream of the cable protection device 108, to protect
the enclosed electrical cable at locations further from the support
pillar 104, for example, a series of interconnected bend restrictor
elements and/or a series of flexible polyurethane tubes secured
end-to-end. However, the additional cable protection devices do not
form part of the present invention and will not be described
further.
As best seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the mounting device 110 comprises
a cast iron elongate tubular body 130 and a tubular retractable
sleeve 112 slidably mounted on the exterior of the elongate body
130. The tubular body 130 is provided with eight identical
apertures 132 adjacent to a first end, equally angularly spaced
around the peripheral exterior face 134 of the elongate body 130.
The periphery of each aperture 132 is stepped, being provided with
a peripheral shoulder 133, and each aperture receives a locking dog
retaining cap 138, whose outer face is flush with the exterior face
134 of the elongate tubular body 130 and which is secured in place
by means of four identical bolts 139.
Each retaining cap 138 comprises a through aperture 140 in which a
locking dog 136 is slidably mounted and constrained to be displaced
radially, i.e. perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A-A of the
elongate tubular body 130. Each locking dog 136 is engageable with
one end of a respective elongate actuating member 142 and
displacement of each actuating member 142 along its longitudinal
axis displaces its associated locking dog 136 radially inwardly or
outwardly, as will be explained.
The leading face 144 of each locking dog 136 is inclined relative
to the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110 to
facilitate insertion of the locking dog 136 into the aperture 102
in the wall of the support pillar 104. Actuation of the locking dog
136 will be described in more detail below.
The front end 116 of the mounting device 110 comprises a reduced
diameter annular shoulder portion 118 extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110, for receipt in a
complimentarily-shaped recess in one end of the centraliser 106.
The annular shoulder portion 118 comprises eight identical recesses
120, spaced equally around the circumference of the annular
shoulder portion 118, and extending perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110. In use, each of
the recesses 120 receives a securing bolt 122 which is threadedly
received in a corresponding recess in the end of the centraliser
106 for securing the front end 116 of the mounting device 110 to
the adjacent end of the centraliser 106.
The opposite, rear end 124 of the mounting device 110 is provided
with an annular shoulder portion 126 extending parallel to the
longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110, for receipt in a
complementarily-shaped recess in one end of the cable protection
device 108. The annular shoulder portion 126 comprises eight
identical apertures 128, spaced equally around the circumference of
the annular shoulder portion 126, and extending perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110. In use, each
of the apertures 128 receives a securing member (not shown) which
is received in the end of the cable protection device 108 for
securing the rear end 124 of the mounting device 110 to the
adjacent end of the cable protection device 108.
As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the mounting device is also provided
with eight identical, recesses 146 adjacent to a second end of the
tubular body 130. The recesses 146 are spaced equiangularly around
the peripheral face 134 of the mounting device 110, beneath the
tubular retractable sleeve 112. Each of the recesses 146
corresponds to one of apertures 132 and are spaced
circumferentially in line with one another. As best seen in FIGS.
3b, 4a and 4b, an internal passageway 148 is formed between each
aperture 132 and its corresponding recess 146 and extends through
the elongate body 130 of the mounting device 110 parallel to the
axis A-A for receiving the actuation member 142. Each internal
passageway 148 and corresponding actuation member 142 are
dimensioned to allow movement of the actuation member 142 in a
direction relative to the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting
device 110.
Referring to now FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5d, each locking dog 136 is
provided with an elongate through recess 150 extending parallel to
the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110 for receipt of
a coupling head 152 of the elongate actuation member 142. The
actuation member 142 comprises the coupling head 152 having a
square vertical cross-section and an elongate portion 154 having a
circular vertical cross-section. The locking dog 136 is slidably
mounted to the coupling head 152 of the actuating member 142 by way
of two identical, elongate projections 156, 158 formed on the
opposing, inner faces 160, 162 of the recess 150 and inclined with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the mounting device 110. The
elongate projections 156, 158 formed on the inner faces 160, 162 of
the recess 150 are received in correspondingly shaped grooves 164,
164 formed on opposing sides 168, 170 of the coupling head 152 of
the actuating member 142. The elongate, inclined grooves 164, 166
receive the correspondingly shaped elongate, inclined projections
156, 158 to form an interlocking ramp mechanism, whereby movement
of the actuation member 142 in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis A-A causes the locking dogs 136, constrained by
the retaining caps 138, to move in the radial direction.
As best seen in FIGS. 3b and 5a, the elongate portion 154 of the
actuation member 142 is provided with a coupling member 172 at one
end. The coupling member 172 is mounted within the recess 146 of
the mounting device 110 for securing the actuation member 142 to
the tubular retractable sleeve 112. The tubular retractable sleeve
112 comprises eight identical recesses 174, spaced equally around
its peripheral face 176, and extending perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110. The eight
identical recesses 174 are located at a first longitudinal point.
In use, each of the recesses 174 receives a securing bolt 178 which
is threadedly received in a corresponding recess 180 of the
coupling member 172 for securing the actuation member 142 to the
tubular retractable sleeve 112. The sleeve further comprises two
identical recesses 175, spaced equally around its peripheral face
176 and located at a second longitudinal point. In use, each recess
175 receives a shear bolt 191 which is threadedly received in a
corresponding recess 193 of the elongate tubular body 130 and which
normally retain the sleeve in a retracted position (displaced to
the right as seen in the Figures). This configuration allows the
locking dogs 136 to be radially moveable between a retracted and
extended position when desired by moving the tubular retractable
sleeve 112 in a direction parallel to the axis A-A of the mounting
device 110, which shears the bolts 191.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5e, the elongate portion 154
of the actuation member 142 is stepped along its length, providing
a peripheral shoulder 185 for engagement with a first end of a
heavy duty compression spring 182. Similarly, as best seen in FIG.
3b, the internal passageway 148 is stepped along its length, being
provided with a peripheral shoulder 183 for engagement with a
second end of the heavy duty compression spring 182.
In use, the heavy duty compression spring 182 is positioned around
the elongate portion 154 of the actuating member 142 between inner
faces 187 and 189 formed by respective shoulders 185 and 183. As
the actuating members are moved in the forward direction, the heavy
duty compression springs 182 engage with the inner faces 187, 189
and are compressed, thereby biasing the actuation members 142 in
the opposite direction. The coupling member 172 is provided with a
through recess comprising a circular vertical cross-section which
receives a stepped down portion 177 of the actuation member 154.
The stepped down portion 177 is defined between two peripheral
shoulder portions 181, 179 which engage opposing outer faces 183,
185 of the coupling member 172. In use, movement of the actuation
member in a direction parallel to the axis A-A of the mounting
device is constrained by the engagement of shoulder portions 181,
179 with the respective sides 183, 185 of the coupling member 172.
This configuration allows the locking dogs 136 and corresponding
actuations members 154 to move independently of the tubular
retractable sleeve 112 and coupling member 172.
In use, the cable protection assembly 100 is loaded onto a
cable-laying vessel and fitted around a cable to be protected and
is discharged over the side of the vessel into the water towards a
support pillar of a turbine. This is achieved in a conventional
manner by means of a pulling line (not shown) extending from the
support pillar 104 which is secured to the eye of a conventional
connector member (not shown) which is embedded in the front end of
the centraliser 106. The pulling line will also be connected to the
end of the electrical cable to be laid and the connector member is
provided with a weak link, designed to break on application of a
predetermined tension, so that when the cable protection assembly
100 is retained in the aperture in the aperture 102 in the wall of
a support pillar 104 of the wind turbine, further pulling of the
pulling line will cause the connector member to fracture and will
continue to pull the electrical cable through the cable protection
assembly 100, as will be explained.
The pulling line pulls the cable protection assembly 100 and cable
towards the aperture 102 in the wall of the support pillar 104.
Eventually, the centraliser portion 106 will pass through the
aperture 102, which assists in aligning the cable protection
assembly 100 with the aperture 102. As the pulling line is pulled
further, the body of the mounting device 110 enters the aperture
102. The outer diameter of the mounting device 110 is chosen to be
slightly smaller than the diameter of the aperture 102, but the
locking dogs 136 are designed so that the inclined leading face 144
of the locking dogs 136 engage with the boundary of the aperture
102 as the mounting device 110 passes through, such that the
locking dogs 136 are forced to move to the retracted position,
urging the actuating members 142 in the forward direction such that
the heavy duty compression springs 182 bearing on the actuating
members 142 are compressed. The locking dogs 136 thus retract
inwardly against the force of the associated springs 182. However,
any movement of the mounting device 110 in the opposite direction
causes the compression springs 182 to bias the actuation members
142, urging the locking dogs 136 radially outwardly, so that the
locking dogs 136 are urged strongly with engagement with the
boundary of the aperture 102, whereby the mounting device 110 is
effectively prevented from moving back out of the aperture 102 in
the forward direction. The locking dogs 136 thus move radially
outward.
However, movement of the mounting device 110 in the forward
direction is still possible by moving the tubular retractable
sleeve 112 in the forward direction (which results in shearing of
the shear bolts 191), causing the actuation members 142 to move in
the forward direction against the force of the associated springs
182 thereby urging the locking dogs 136 to move to the retracted
position and out of engagement with the aperture 102 in which the
mounting device 110 is located. In this way, the locking dogs 136
can be selectively retracted and extended. This allows the mounting
device 110, the centraliser 106 and the cable protection device 108
connected to it, to be withdrawn from the aperture 102.
Although the mounting device 110 is intended to remain in place for
extended periods of time, the provision of the retractable locking
dogs 136 greatly facilitates removal of the mounting device 110, if
it is ever required.
The present description is for illustrative purposes only and
should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present
disclosure in an Nay. Thus, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications might be made to the
presently disclosed embodiment without departing from the full and
fair scope of the present disclosure. For example the locking dogs
136 may be arranged within the mounting device 110 in a helical
pattern.
Furthermore, the mounting device 110 is described as being made
from solid cast iron. However, the mounting device may be made from
different materials including, but not limited to, a truly alloyed
stainless steel derived steel, such as stainless steel,
Inconel.RTM. or Super Duplex stainless steel.
In addition, the centraliser 106 and the cable protection device
108 are described as bend stiffeners in the above embodiment.
However, they need not be bend stiffeners. For example, the cable
protection device 108 may instead comprise a bend restrictor, a
rigid tube or an elongate rigid two-piece shell (e.g.
Uraduct.RTM.).
Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an
examination of the attached drawings and appended claims.
* * * * *